The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has explained the reason behind the recent shake-up among Nigeria’s service chiefs.

Speaking during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time, Onanuga revealed that President Tinubu’s decision was driven by his concern over the handling of the nation’s security challenges.

According to him, the President felt it was time for “new hands” to take charge and reinvigorate the country’s fight against insecurity.

“It’s a routine change. The President is concerned about the way the security situation is being addressed and he feels that it’s time to have some new people in charge,” Onanuga said.

He added that President Tinubu had issued a firm directive to the new security chiefs to ensure that the insurgency, which began in 2009, is brought to a complete end.

“He gave them a marching order that they should not allow the crisis that began in 2009 to resurface. The President told the new service chiefs that they should do everything possible to make sure this insurgency ends,” he stated.

Addressing recent speculations about an alleged coup attempt, Onanuga dismissed the claims as false and sensational, criticizing certain media outlets for prioritizing traffic over truth.

“It was a mere dissemination of rumour. Sometimes journalists report without asking themselves the benefit of the story to the Nigerian public. They write sensational headlines to get clicks,” he said.

The clarification comes as the new service chiefs begin their tenure amid rising expectations for stronger coordination, faster response, and lasting peace across Nigeria’s troubled regions.